UAE travellers planning a getaway during the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holidays are facing steep flight prices, with airfares nearly doubling compared to February. Travel agencies say ticket costs are also up by as much as 20 per cent from last year as the rush for limited seats intensifies.
Between March 19 and 30, return economy fares from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to popular destinations have climbed sharply. A roundtrip from Dubai to London now averages around Dh4,075 — more than twice the usual off-season price of Dh1,837.
Fares to Lisbon have reached Dh4,674, Osaka Dh7,995, Almaty Dh2,901, Bangkok Dh4,005, and Phuket Dh4,855. From Abu Dhabi, travelers are paying roughly Dh2,730 to Amsterdam, Dh4,090 to London, Dh3,890 to Zurich, Dh3,310 to Berlin, and Dh3,505 to St. Petersburg.
Rising Demand for Japan and Europe
According to Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, bookings to Japan have surged as travellers hope to catch the country’s famed cherry blossom season in late March. “Japan is extremely popular this year, though visa appointment delays are still a challenge,” he said. “Prices are about 20 per cent higher than usual, with packages ranging between Dh11,000 and Dh12,000 during the cherry blossom period.”
Babu added that European destinations — particularly Switzerland, Paris and the Netherlands — are also drawing strong interest despite visa bottlenecks. “Packages to Europe are up 15 to 20 per cent compared with last Eid,” he noted, adding that Schengen visa appointments are being filled quickly.
Demand is also rising for other Far East hotspots such as South Korea, Thailand’s Phuket and Krabi, which benefit from visa-on-arrival entry for UAE residents. Closer-to-home options like Georgia, Baku and Almaty remain attractive for their easier travel procedures.
“Last-minute tickets will be expensive, so early planning is key,” Babu advised. “Most travellers are targeting March 20–28 for departures to make the most of the break.” Trips to the United States, by contrast, are seeing lower interest this year due to longer flight durations unsuitable for short holidays.
Cruise Holidays and CIS Routes Gain Momentum
Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels, said booking volumes are already high, especially for departures between March 26 and 29. “Eid travel sentiment is strong this year, and airfares, as expected, are on the higher side,” he said.
Ahmed pointed out that the CIS region continues to perform well. He also highlighted a new travel trend — the growing popularity of cruise holidays. “The Aroya cruise, a halal-friendly cruise option, is generating a lot of interest. We already have 18 confirmed bookings,” he added.
India also remains a key market, with many families extending their holidays by combining Eid leave with school vacations. Several operators have reserved blocks of seats for groups as part of customised Eid packages.
Short Holidays Shape Travel Choices
TP Sudheesh, General Manager of a Deira-based travel firm, said the relatively brief Eid holiday is influencing travel patterns this year. “It’s a short break, so many families prefer longer visits to their home countries rather than quick leisure trips,” he explained.
He noted that visa-free destinations in the CIS — especially Armenia — are seeing brisk demand, while Southeast Asian spots like Vietnam, Bali, Thailand and Malaysia remain consistently popular.
Sudheesh added that flights from India to the UAE are also more expensive between mid-March and early April due to overlapping school holidays in India.
While some travellers are cautious about possible regional tensions and airspace restrictions, agents say such concerns have not significantly affected bookings. For many UAE residents, the bigger shock is the cost. Airfares this Eid are not only higher than February levels but also well above last year’s festive season prices.
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